How I get my seniors to pose naturally
Let me guess. You haven’t booked your senior photos yet because somewhere in the back of your head a little voice is saying: "But I have no idea how to pose."
You're not alone. I hear this from almost every single senior before their session. Thirty-something seniors in a row have walked into their sessions convinced they were going to be the most awkward person I had ever photographed. None of them were.
Here's the thing nobody tells you about posing: you're not supposed to already know how to do it. That's my job. And after 14 years of doing this, I'm pretty good at it.
But I also know that "trust me" isn't always enough when you're standing in front of a camera for the first time. So here's an honest look at what posing actually looks like at a senior session and why it's way less scary than you think.
These photos were taken at the first location, within 20 minutes of the start of our session.
You Don't Have to Show Up Knowing Anything
This is the biggest myth about senior photos: that you need to practice poses in the mirror beforehand, or that you need to be naturally photogenic, or that there's some secret to looking good in photos that some people just have and others don't. There isn't.
What there is: a photographer who knows how to position your body, where to put your hands, how to angle your chin, and what to say to make you laugh right before the shutter clicks. That's me. You don't have to bring anything to the session except yourself.
Evan, one of my Class of 2025 seniors, said it best: "My biggest worry before my session was that I was going to be awkward on camera. It did not come true. You made me feel so comfortable and confident."
He didn't show up knowing how to pose. He showed up. That was enough.
We Plan It Together Before We Ever Pick Up a Camera
One of the things that makes my sessions different is that we meet in person before your session even happens. We talk about your locations, your outfits, the vibe you're going for. I'll send you videos to watch before your session so you can get a feel for what you like. Not so you can memorize them, but so you can say "I love this one" or "I'd never do that." It's a conversation, not homework.
By the time we actually start shooting, you've already seen what the session looks like. You know what to expect. That alone takes about 80% of the nerves away.
During the Session, I Direct Every Single Shot
I'll tell you exactly where to stand, how to shift your weight, where to look, what to do with your hands, and when to take a breath. I'm not standing back with a camera hoping you figure it out. I'm right there, talking you through every single frame.
Your favorite music is playing the whole time. That matters more than people realize. It's a lot harder to feel stiff and awkward when you're listening to a song you love.
And when a pose looks good? I tell you. Loudly. Kambry, one of my Class of 2024 seniors, said her favorite part was "how you hyped me up and gave me things to think about that made me happy." That's not an accident, that's the whole point.
What to Do With Your Hands (Yes, Really)
This is the question I get more than any other. Hands are hard. They're the first thing to go stiff, and they're the first thing you notice when something looks off in a photo. I like to give my seniors something to do like touch your hair, play with a jacket, hold something meaningful — your hands stop being a problem because they have a job. I'll always give you something to do with them. You don't have to figure it out. If we get a shot where your hands look a little weird? We take another one. That's why we have four hours.
The Awkward Feeling Usually Lasts About Ten Minutes
Here's something I've noticed after 14 years: almost everyone feels a little awkward at the very beginning of a session. It's normal. You're in front of a camera, you're trying to remember what I just said, and you're not sure if you look okay.But it fades. Fast.
Once the music gets going, once we've laughed a few times, once you've seen a shot on the back of my camera and realized you look great, something shifts. The session stops feeling like a photo shoot and starts feeling like hanging out.
Carly said she felt awkward at the beginning but that I helped her feel more comfortable. Breanna said she forgot she was even taking photos. That's what I'm going for every single time.
Ready to stop worrying about it and just book?
The first step is a free planning session where we'll talk through everything from locations, outfits, and the entire senior photo experience. By the time we're done, you'll feel ready.
Sarah Thummel is a senior portrait photographer based in Wichita, KS. She has been photographing high school seniors since 2012 and specializes in personalized, full-experience sessions that include in-person planning consultations and in-person image premieres because senior year deserves more than a shoot-and-send. Ready to get started? Book your free consultation and let's plan your session together. Not sure yet? Read what real seniors are saying →